49ers vs Chiefs: Important Players in Revenge Game

49ers vs Chiefs Player: Jimmie Ward

San Francisco 49ers veteran safety, Jimmie Ward , has started only one game this season. It is not confirmed he will be active for the 49ers vs Chiefs game, but it was definitely implied that he should be by head coach, Kyle Shanahan.

This Season

Ward has not gotten a lot of playing time this season at all. He entered the season on the PUP list, making his first start against the Carolina Panthers in week five. On the opening kickoff in his first game back, Ward broke his hand. He entered the game for one snap but was quickly ruled out after that first play.

After missing the following week, against the Atlanta Falcons, there is a strong chance Ward will be back this Sunday. In a tweet posted by, Jake Hutchinson, a 49ers beat writer for KNBR, there is a video of Ward explaining he will be playing with a cast on, just a couple of weeks after surgery.

Ward will be one of the guys attempting to cover the Chiefs’ tight end, Travis Kelce. This will be difficult with only one hand, but as Ward puts it, there is less of a chance for any holding calls against him. Kelce and Ward are no strangers, having played each other in the 49ers vs Chiefs Super Bowl.

2021 Season

With no real stats to give this year, the focus can really only be on last season. According to Pro Football Reference, Ward totaled two interceptions in the 2021 season for 27 yards and one touchdown. He also had 77 combined tackles, and 51 solo tackles. These stats do not include the 2021 season’s playoffs where Ward also got an interception for 23 yards and had 15 total tackles.

49ers vs Chiefs Super Bowl LIV

In Superbowl LIV, on February 2nd, 2020, Ward had eight solo tackles, 11 total. Ward did not force any turnovers in the game, but the defense did have two interceptions and three forced fumbles. While the 49ers have many players from that super bowl team, the Chiefs only have two offensive players returning, according to a tweet by Matt Barrows, a 49ers reporter from the Athletic. One of the players still on the offense is Kelce.

49ers vs Chiefs Player: Jimmy Garoppolo

San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo has an extremely rough history against the Kansas City Chiefs. In the 2018 season, in the regular season 49ers vs Chiefs game, the quarterback tore his ACL. This was the first and worst of many Garoppolo injuries.

49ers vs Chiefs Super Bowl LIV

When Garoppolo returned in 2019, the team went 8-0 to start the season and made it to the super bowl. The 49ers lost this game, blowing a ten-point lead. Garoppolo completed 20 out of 31 pass attempts for 219 yards, according to ESPN. He also threw for one touchdown and two interceptions. No matter what happened at the end of that matchup, this week involves two very different teams.

2022 Season

Garoppolo began this season as a backup quarterback, only to begin playing in week two. According to ESPN , Garoppolo totals 1,153 yards and seven touchdowns in five games. It is absolutely crucial for the 49ers that the quarterback does not throw any interceptions or cause any turnovers. While this was not Garoppolo’s fault, the fumble against the Falcons in week six was devastating. It is important to keep the ball out of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ hands. The best chance the 49ers have is to maintain time of posession.

49ers vs Chiefs Player: George Kittle

49ers star tight end, George Kittle has not gotten the ball often this season. The reason for this is a mix of coming back from an injury, as well as being utilized more as a blocker. Despite this, Kittle is a key player to watch in the 49ers vs Chiefs matchup.

49ers vs Chiefs Super Bowl LIV

In the 2019 season, Kittle was something else. He was the tight end the Niners could rely on to get the ball down the field. Kittle only had four receptions in the Super Bowl, but for 38 yards, according to ESPN. After the game, it was evident Kittle was heartbroken over the loss. Kittle was Mic’d up during the 49ers vs Chiefs super bowl and could be heard explaining that he will be back. To hear him, watch this video, clipped by TheSFNiners.

2022 Season

Kittle’s stats are not the best this season, but that does not mean he has not had a big impact on the team. Kittle has been great for the 49ers’ offense with how he blocks for the run. He puts his full body into it, and it will be crucial for him to continue that this week against the Chiefs.

This season, according to ESPN, Kittle has totaled 182 yards. It is important to note this is in four games played, and he was not targeted often until week five against the Panthers. With injuries to the offensive line, it is not guaranteed how often Kittle will get the ball, but when he does, keep an eye on him. With it being a 49ers vs Chiefs revenge game, Kittle will want just that. Revenge.

49ers vs Chiefs Player: Charvarius Ward

Just this past offseason, the 49ers worked to boost their secondary. In free agency, the team picked up cornerback Charvarius (Mooney) Ward. Who was Ward’s previous team? The Kansas City Chiefs. Not only is this a revenge game for the 49ers, but it is also for Ward as well. The cornerback did play against the 49ers in the super bowl, but only had four total tackles and zero pass deflections.

There is no guarantee Ward will play this weekend in the 49ers vs Chiefs matchup, due to a groin injury, but there still is a good chance. Ward has done well for the 49ers so far, filling a much-needed position. According to ESPN, Ward has had one forced fumble and one interception for nine yards. He also has 28 total tackles and eight pass deflections so far this year.

As long as Ward does play this week, he is going to be a player to watch for the 49ers, in hopes to prove his former team should not have let him walk away.

The 49ers vs Chiefs rematch will be this Sunday at 4:25 Eastern in Santa Clara.

For more NFL and NCAA football content:

Check out my most recent article on which three players to watch this week for Rutgers. Also check out my article on the famous Penn State Whiteout, and its importance to the school. For NFL content, check out my article to see who I chose in my second Underestimated Player Spotlight.